DS-U2-GK No. 1

Re-entered 12 Feb 1969

DS-U2-GK No. 1 (NORAD 3624, COSPAR 1968-117A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 12 Feb 1969, launched on 19 Dec 1968 on the DS-U2-GK No. 1 mission. It was operated by YUZH as part of the DS-U2-GK programme. The spacecraft was built by YUZH on the DS-U2 bus, with a mass of 335 kg. Like most satellites in low orbits, it was gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until re-entry. Historical record from Orbital Radar's satellite archive, cross-referenced with the live satellite catalogue.

1968

launched

1969

re-entered

year on orbit

335

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched19 Dec 1968 · on the DS-U2-GK No. 1 mission

Operational12 Feb 1969 · entered service

Retired12 Feb 1969 · end of operational service

Re-entered12 Feb 1969 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID3624

COSPAR1968-117A

TypeSatellite

OperatorYUZH

Country / StateSU

ManufacturerYUZH

BusDS-U2

Mass335 kg

ProgrammeDS-U2-GK

CategorySCI

OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)

Altitude201 × 611 km

Inclination71.0°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to DS-U2-GK No. 1?

DS-U2-GK No. 1 re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 12 Feb 1969, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1968. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did DS-U2-GK No. 1 re-enter the atmosphere?

DS-U2-GK No. 1 re-entered on 12 Feb 1969, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built DS-U2-GK No. 1?

DS-U2-GK No. 1 was operated by YUZH and built by YUZH (SU).

Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.

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